Sheet metal joint



May 3, 1932- s. D. OVERHOLTZ 1,856,167

SHEET METAL JOINT Filed Jan. 11, 1930 INVENTOR Patented May 3, 1932 PATENT Fries GEORGE D. OVERIIOLTZ, OF LEEISDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T0 RITER-CONLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OI! PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA SHEET METAL JOINT Application filed January 11, 1830.

My invention relates to improvements in sheet metal joints, and the present invention is particularly adapted for joining the adjacent ends oi sheet metal members of the form of moldin sections employed in outdoor advertising structures. WVhile I have shown its application to such structures, the invention may be employed for joining other sheet metal forms employed for difi'erent purposes.

The prime object of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficient joint structure for the adjacent ends of sheet metal members or sections, and particularly sections of molding of the character above stated.

Other objects are, to provide one end of a sheet metal molding section with retaining and binding means adapted to receive an end of an adjacent section, whereby the sections are firmly secured together, said retaining and binding means preferably including a plate member secured to the inner surface oi? the molding and spaced therefrom to receive the adjacent molding section; and a construction embodying an inclined edge on the plate member for forming a binding relation with a portion of an adjacent molding section.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

F 1 is a perspective view of my invention. showing portions of two sheet metal molding sections to be joined together;

Fig. 2, a sectional view taken 011 the line II-II of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3, a plan view showing the molding sections secured together.

Referring to the drawings, A and B designate sections of molding each termed of sheet metal and comprising gmerally a cap portion 2., a decorative curved intermediate portion 3, and an upturned flange or edge portion 4. While I have shown one form of molding in the d swings as being illustrative of the application of my invention, it will be understood that my invention s not limited Serial No. 420,187.

thereto, as other forms and shapes of molding and similar articles may be employed.

Secured to the inner surface of the curved portion 3, I provide a plate member 5, having a curvature similar to that of portion 3. Said plate is oil-set, as at 6, to form a recess 7 between the plate and the molding, and to provide a portion 8 for securing the plate to the molding, as by spot welds, indicated at 9, or other suitable means.

As shown and as preferred, the plate 5 extends substantiallythe depth of the curved portion 3, and the recess 7 has a longitudinal width suliicient to receive a substantial part of the adjacent end curved portion 3 oil the molding section B.

WVhen positioned on the section A, the outer edge of the plate member 5 is adjacent to and preferably projects beyond the outer edge of the molding section, as shown. Thus, it will be seen that the end of adjacent molding section B may be easily entered and retained in the recess 7, the cap portion 2 and upturned flange or edge 4 being depressed slightly to telescope with the respective or corresponding portions of the section A.

For the purpose of affording a binding action between the sections A and B, I provide an inclined or angularly disposed edge 10 at the lowermost portion of the plate 5. This inclined edge is arranged in such a manner as to provide a gradually decreasing space inwardly between said edge and the inner surface of the upturned flange I. When the section B is entered in the recess 7 the juncture 12 of the flange 4 and the portion 3 thereof will engage the edge 10, and will be firmly wedged thereby, producing a strong and firm joint.

Slotted openings 13 and 13a are provided in the cap portions of the molding sections A and B respectively, the said openings being at right angles to each other, and so positioned as to be in general axial alignment when the sections are joined together (see Fig. 3). These openings readily permit the entrance of bolts 1d for fastening the sections together, and allow for variations in punching, thickness of material and the like.

Various changes and modifications are contemplated, providing they fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a sheet metal joint of the character specified, the combination with a molding section, of a plate secured to the inner surface and adjacent one end of the section and having an off-set portion to provide a recess between the plate and the section to receive an end of an adjoining molding section, an inclined edge on said plate for binding engagement with a portion of the adjoining section, said plate having a portion projecting beyond the section, each section having aligned openings and bolts entered in the openings.

2. Ina sheet metal joint of the character specified, the combination with molding sections each comprising a cap portion, a curved portion and a terminating upturned flange, of a plate secured to the curved portion of one section adjacent an end thereof, the curvature of said plate being substantially the curvature of the curved portion, said plate having an olf-set portion providing a recess between the same and the curved portion of the section to receive the curved portion of an end of an adjoining section, an inclined edge on the plate for binding engagement with the juncture of the curved portion and flange of the adjoining section, said cap portion. and flange of said adjoining section telescoping with corresponding parts of the first mentioned section, and coacting means on the capportions for securing the sections together.

3. In a sheet metal joint of the character specified, the combination with molding sections each comprising a cap portion, a curved portion and a terminating upturned flange, of a plate secured to'the curved portion of one section adjacent an end thereof, the curvature of said plate being substantially the curvature of the curved portion, said plate having an ofi-set portion providing a recess between the same and the curved portion of the section to receive the curved portion of an end of an adjoining section, an inclined edge on the plate for binding engagement with the juncture of the curved portion and flange of the adjoining section, said cap portion and flange of said adjoining section telescoping with the corresponding parts of the first mentioned section, oppositely slotted openings in the cap portions of the sections,

7 and bolts for securing the sections together.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GEORGE D. OVERHOLTZ. 

